How To Score Sold-Out Concert Tickets By Supporting City Projects

Considering my past… four… Peepshow… posts have all concerned concert-going, one might guess (maybe even hope?) for a new topic. Alas, this one also centers around concerts — specifically, how you can score tickets to sold-out shows while helping improve U.S. cities in the process. Pretty cool deal, right?

Now, The Cities Project by Heineken has partnered with the Bruno Mars 24K Magic U.S. Tour. From now through the end of June, you can visit this website and receive tickets (on a first-come, first-serve basis) for contributing to a curated list of amazing crowdfunding projects in markets across America, ranging from the restoration of an ocean-water pool in Bruno Mars’ home state of Hawaii, to a water-tower mural in Atlanta, to a quirky art installation that will infuse music into the heart of downtown L.A.

Waves of tickets will be released on a weekly basis, and buzz is already spreading across New York, Philly, Hawaii, Atlanta and beyond, so you may want to act fast. Here’s a bit more detail about the eligible projects:

Waikiki Natatorium (Waikiki, Hawaii) — The only ocean-water swim venue built as a war memorial, the Natatorium celebrates Hawaii’s indigenous swimming traditions and honors the Hawaii citizens who served in World War I. The Indiegogo campaign will kick off an effort to restore this treasure with 21st century engineering so the public can enjoy it once again.

Rail Park (Philadelphia, Pa.) — Like Manhattan’s High Line, this stretch of railroad tracks will be converted into a beautiful urban space traversing the city. The crowdfunding campaign will support design enhancements on phase one of the project, including the restoration of an iconic Reading Railroad dining car into the Rail Park’s welcome center.

Little Havana (Miami, Fla.) — The Little Havana neighborhood is at the heart of Miami and a symbol of the American melting pot. This project, inspired by the famed “Humans of New York” effort, will commission a local photographer and writer to capture the residents’ colorful lives.

The Astrodome (Houston, Tex.) — Dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Houston Astrodome hosted sporting and cultural events but has been shuttered for almost a decade. The Indiegogo project will fund a public installation and event that invites people to experience the Dome in a whole new way.

New York State Pavilion (New York, N.Y.) — The shining star of the 1964 World’s Fair, the Pavilion charmed millions with its futuristic architecture. Today, efforts are being made to renovate the site and this project will help to repair its entryway.

Union Station (Washington, D.C.) — The giant centurions that stand guard throughout Union Station are overdue for a facelift. This project will jumpstart an effort to revive the 46 statues to their former glory.

Sweet Auburn Water Tower (Atlanta, Ga.) — A water tower that rises above Atlanta’s famous Sweet Auburn neighborhood will be transformed by local artists to refresh the 111-year-old structure with eye-catching public art.

Pioneer Square (Seattle, Wa.) — One of the most famous features of Seattle’s Pioneer Square is its collection of purple glass sidewalk tiles. Time and the elements have left portions of the sidewalk in disrepair; this project will support the restoration of this beloved spectacle.

The Triforium (Los Angeles, Calif.) — An effort to rehabilitate this quirky, iconic 1970s structure will help bring music to the heart of downtown Los Angeles. This project will aim to breathe new life into the Triforium and its unique sound system.

Voiceover (Chicago, Ill.) — Voiceover is a public audio installation that will collect residents’ personal stories about what makes the Windy City so special. Audio recordings with their reflections will be broadcast on speakers on Chicago’s elevated Bloomingdale Trail – the heart of the 606.

Learn more about the projects, The Cities Project by Heineken and how to receive tickets here.